Cotton variety fm 1773llb2

ABSTRACT

The cotton variety FM 1773LLB2 is disclosed. The invention relates to seeds, plants, plant cells, plant tissue, harvested products and cotton lint as well as to hybrid cotton plants and seeds obtained by repeatedly crossing plants of variety FM 1773LLB2 with other plants. The invention also relates to plants and varieties produced by the method of essential derivation from plants of FM 1773LLB2 and to plants of FM 1773LLB2 reproduced by vegetative methods, including but not limited to tissue culture of regenerable cells or tissue from FM 1773LLB2.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/328,768, filed Apr. 28, 2010, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(i) Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the field of plant breeding. More particularly, the invention relates to a variety of cotton designated as FM 1773LLB2, its essentially derived varieties and the hybrid varieties obtained by crossing FM 1773LLB2 as a parent line with plants of other varieties or parent lines.

(ii) Description of Related Art

Cotton is an important, fiber producing crop. Due to the importance of cotton to the textile industry, cotton breeders are increasingly seeking to obtain healthy, good yielding crops of excellent quality.

Cotton is commonly reproduced by self-pollination and fertilization. This type of sexual reproduction facilitates the preservation of plant and variety characteristics during breeding and seed production. The preservation of these characteristics is often important to plant breeders for producing cotton plants having desired traits. Other methods of producing cotton plants having desired traits are also used and include methods such as genetic transformation via Agrobacterium infection or direct transfer by microparticle bombardment. Examples of such methods are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pub. No. 20090049564, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Due to the environment, the complexity of the structure of genes and location of a gene in the genome, among other factors, it is difficult to predict the phenotypic expression of a particular genotype. In addition, a plant breeder may only apply his skills on the phenotype and not, or in a very limited way, on the level of the genotype. As a result, a particular plant breeder cannot breed the same variety twice using the same parents and the same methodology. Thus, a newly bred variety is an unexpected result of the breeding process. Indeed, each variety contains a unique combination of characteristics.

By carefully choosing the breeding parents, the breeding and selection methods, the testing layout and testing locations, the breeder may breed a particular variety type. In addition, a new variety may be tested in special comparative trials with other existing varieties in order to determine whether the new variety meets the required expectations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to seeds, plants, plant cells, parts of plants, cotton lint or fiber, and cotton textiles of cotton variety FM 1773LLB2 as well as to hybrid cotton plants and seeds obtained by repeatedly crossing plants of FM 1773LLB2 with other cotton plants. The invention encompasses plants and plant varieties produced by the method of derivation or essential derivation from plants of FM 1773LLB2 and to plants of FM 1773LLB2 reproduced by vegetative methods, including but not limited to regeneration of embryogenic cells or tissue of FM 1773LLB2. The invention also encompasses methods of producing cotton seeds that comprise crossing plants of cotton variety FM 1773LLB2 either with itself or with a second, distinct cotton plant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention has been obtained by a general breeding process comprising the steps outlined below. For reference, see chapter 11, “Breeding Self-Pollinated Crops by Hybridization and Pedigree Selection” in Briggs and Knowles (1967).

Parent plants, which have been selected for good agronomic and fiber quality traits are manually crossed in different combinations. The resulting F1 (Filial generation 1) plants are self fertilized and the resulting F2 generation plants, which show a large variability on account of optimal gene segregation, are planted in a selection field.

These F2 plants are observed during the growing season for health, growth vigor, plant type, plant structure, leaf type, stand ability, flowering, maturity, seed yield, boll type, boll distribution, boll size, fiber yield and fiber quality. Plants are then selected. The selected plants are harvested and the bolls analyzed for fiber characteristics and the seed cleaned and stored. This procedure is repeated in the following growing seasons, whereby the selection and testing units increase from individual plants in the F2, to multiple plant containing ‘lines’ (descending from one mother plant) in the F5 and the number of units decrease from approximately 2500 plants in the F2 to 20 lines in the F5 by selecting about 10-20% of the units in each selection cycle.

The increased size of the units, whereby more seed per unit is available, allows the selection and testing in replicated trials on more than one location with a different environment and a more extensive and accurate analyzing of the fiber quality.

The lines or candidate varieties become genotypically more homozygous and phenotypically more homogeneous by selecting similar plant types within a line and by discarding the so called off-types from the very variable F2 generation on to the final F7 or F8 generation.

Depending on the intermediate results the plant breeder may decide to vary the procedure described above, such as by accelerating the process by testing a particular line earlier or retesting a line another year. He may also select plants for further crossing with existing parent plants or with other plants resulting from the current selection procedure.

By the method of recurrent backcrossing, as described by Briggs and Knowles, supra, in chapter 13, “The Backcross Method of Breeding”, the breeder may introduce a specific trait or traits into an existing valuable line or variety, while otherwise preserving the unique combination of characteristics of this line or variety. In this crossing method, the valuable parent is recurrently used to cross it at least two or three times with each resulting backcross F1, followed by selection of the recurrent parent plant type, until the phenotype of the resulting F1 is similar or almost identical to the phenotype of the recurrent parent with the addition of the expression of the desired trait or traits.

This method of recurrent backcrossing eventually results in an essentially derived variety, which is predominantly derived from the recurrent parent or initial variety. This method can therefore also be used to get as close as possible to the genetic composition of an existing successful variety. Thus, compared to the recurrent parent the essentially derived variety retains a distinctive trait, which can be any phenotypic trait, with the intention to profit from the qualities of that successful initial variety.

Depending on the number of backcrosses and the efficacy of the selection of the recurrent parent plant type and genotype, which can be supported by the use of molecular markers as described by P. Stam (2003), the genetic conformity with the initial variety of the resulting essentially derived variety may vary between 90% and 100%.

Other than recurrent backcrossing, as described herein, such essentially derived variety may also be obtained by the selection from an initial variety of an induced or natural occurring mutant plant, or of an occurring variant (off-type) plant, or of a somaclonal variant plant, or by genetic transformation of regenerable plant tissue or embryogenic cell cultures of the said initial variety by methods well known to those skilled in the art, such as Agrobacterium-mediated transformation as described by Sakhanokho et al, (2004), Reynaerts et al. (2000), Umbeck et al. (1988) and others. Examples of transgenic events transformed in this way are “LLCotton25,” USDA-APHIS petition 02-042-01p, “Cot 102,” USDA-APHIS petition 03-155-01p, and “281-24-236,” USDA-APHIS petition 03-036-01p combined with “3006-210-23,” USDA-APHIS petition 03-036-02p. Information regarding these and other transgenic events referred to herein may be found at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) website. An “Event” is defined as a (artificial) genetic locus that, as a result of genetic engineering, carries a foreign DNA comprising at least one copy of the gene(s) of interest. Other methods of genetic transformation are well known in the art such as microprojectile bombardment. See, e.g., U.S. Publication No. 20090049564, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The plants selected or transformed retain the unique combination of the characteristics of FM 1773LLB2, except for the characteristics (e.g., one, two, three, four or five characteristics) changed by the selection of the mutant or variant plant or by the addition of a desired trait via genetic transformation. Therefore, the product of essential derivation (i.e., an essentially derived variety), has the phenotypic characteristics of the initial variety, except for the characteristics that change as a result of the act of derivation. Plants of the essentially derived variety can be used to repeat the process of essential derivation. The result of this process is also a variety essentially derived from said initial variety.

In one embodiment, FM 1773LLB2 progeny plants are produced by crossing plants of FM 1773LLB2 with other, different or distinct cotton plants, and further selfing or crossing these progeny plants with other, distinct plants and subsequent selection of derived progeny plants. The process of crossing FM 1773LLB2 derived progeny plants with itself or other distinct cotton plants and the subsequent selection in the resulting progenies can be repeated up to 7 or 8 times in order to produce FM 1773LLB2 derived cotton plants.

FM 1773LLB2 cotton contains three, simply-inherited transgenes, event LL25, which confers resistance to Ignite® (active ingredient glufosinate-ammonium) a post emergence herbicide sold by Bayer CropScience, and MON 531 (Cry1Ac), and MON 15985 (Cry2Ab). Events MON 531 and MON 15985 confer resistance to certain lepidopteran species. The MON events were developed and licensed from Monsanto USA.

A pollen donor line FM 966LLB2, containing the two Bt events (MON 531 & MON 15985) and the Liberty Link event (LL25) was crossed to 983055-99MS30 (an elite conventional breeding line derived from a cross between FM 958 and ST 474). Three subsequent backcrosses were made to 983055-99M530. Each generation was screened for purity of the transgenes. Initial introgression work was performed inside a glasshouse located at the Bayer Cotton Seed International-Delta Research Station near Leland, Miss.

Following two selfing generations in the glasshouse, seed from each plant were planted in the field as individual rows. Rows were selected in the field on the basis of Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab expression, resistance to glufosinate-ammonium herbicide, leaf hair, disease resistance, lint percent and fiber quality. Following progeny row testing for yield, disease resistance and fiber quality, sister-lines proceeded to replicated, multi-site trials. These multiple site trials were conducted in south-east region of the US cotton belt for one year. At the same time small seed increases were initiated for all lines.

Four sister-lines were selected based on performance in the south-east trials and bulked. This bulked variety was then tested beltwide in multiple locations the subsequent year and commercial-scale seed increase commenced. This bulk constitutes the finished variety FM 1773LLB2

FM 1773LLB2 has been observed for two generations of reproduction. During this seed increase period the variety is stable and uniform. No variants were observed.

Provided herein as embodiments of the invention are seeds, plants, plant cells and parts of plants of the cotton variety FM 1773LLB2. Representative seeds of this variety will be deposited under rule 37CFR 1.809, prior to issuance of a patent. Applicant will make a deposit of at least 2500 seeds of cotton variety FM 1773LLB2 disclosed herein with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, Va. 20110-2209 USA. The accession number for the deposit is ATCC Accession No. xxxxxxxxxx. The seeds are deposited with the ATCC on date xxxxxxx. Access to this deposit will be available during the pendency of the application to the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks and persons determined by the Commissioner to be entitled thereto upon request. The deposit will be maintained for a period of 30 years, or 5 years after the most recent request, or for the enforceable life of the patent, whichever is longer, and will be replaced if it becomes nonviable during that period. Applicant does not waive any rights granted under this patent or under the Plant Variety Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 2321 et seq.).

Plants produced by growing such seeds are provided herein as embodiments of the invention. Also provided herein are pollen or ovules of these plants, as well as a cell or tissue culture of regenerable cells from such plants. In another embodiment, the invention provides for a cotton plant regenerated from such cell or tissue culture, wherein the regenerated plant has the morphological and physiological characteristics of cotton cultivar FM 1773LLB2, when grown in the same environmental conditions. In yet another embodiment, the invention provides methods of testing for a plant having the morphological and physiological characteristics of cotton cultivar FM 1773LLB2. In one embodiment, the testing for a plant having the morphological and physiological characteristics of cotton cultivar FM 1773LLB2 is performed in the same field, under the same conditions and in the presence of plants of FM 1773LLB2, e.g., plants grown from the seed deposited under Accession number _.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides regenerable cells for use in tissue culture of cotton cultivar FM 1773LLB2. The tissue culture will preferably be capable of regenerating plants having the physiological and morphological characteristics of the cotton cultivar FM 1773LLB2, and of regenerating plants having substantially the same genotype as the cotton plant of the present invention. Preferably, the regenerable cells in such tissue cultures will be from embryos, protoplasts, meristematic cells, callus, pollen, leaves, anthers, pistils, roots, root tips, flowers, seeds, pods or stems. Still further, the present invention provides cotton plants regenerated from the tissue cultures of the invention.

Yet another aspect of the current invention is a cotton plant of the cotton variety FM 1773LLB2 comprising at least a first transgene, wherein the cotton plant is otherwise capable of expressing all the physiological and morphological characteristics of the cotton variety FM 1773LLB2. In particular embodiments of the invention, a plant is provided that comprises a single locus conversion. A single locus conversion may comprise a transgenic gene which has been introduced by genetic transformation into the cotton variety FM 1773LLB2 or a progenitor thereof. A transgenic or non-transgenic single locus conversion can also be introduced by backcrossing, as is well known in the art. In certain embodiments of the invention, the single locus conversion may comprise a dominant or recessive allele. The locus conversion may confer potentially any desired trait upon the plant as described herein.

Single locus conversions may be implemented by a plant breeding technique called backcrossing wherein essentially all of the desired morphological and physiological characteristics of a variety are recovered in addition to the characteristics conferred by the single locus transferred into the variety via the backcrossing technique. A single locus may comprise one gene, or in the case of transgenic plants, one or more transgenes integrated into the host genome at a single site (locus).

In a particular aspect, the invention provides for a method of introducing a single locus conversion into cotton cultivar FM 1773LLB2 comprising: (a) crossing the FM 1773LLB2 plants, grown from seed deposited under Accession No. xxxxxx, with plants of another cotton line that comprise a desired single locus to produce F1 progeny plants; (b) selecting F1 progeny plants that have the single locus to produce selected F1 progeny plants; (c) crossing the selected F1 progeny plants with the FM 1773LLB2 plants to produce first backcross progeny plants; (d) selecting for first backcross progeny plants that have the desired single locus and the physiological and morphological characteristics of cotton cultivar FM 1773LLB2, when grown in the same environmental conditions, to produce selected first backcross progeny plants; and (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) one or more times (e.g. one, two, three, four, etc. times) in succession to produce selected third or higher backcross progeny plants that comprise the desired single locus and all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of cotton cultivar FM 1773LLB2, when grown in the same environmental conditions. Plants produced by this method have all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of FM 1773LLB2, except for the characteristics derived from the desired trait.

Another embodiment of the invention provides for a method of producing an essentially derived plant of cotton variety FM 1773LLB2 comprising introducing a transgene conferring the desired trait into the plant, resulting in a plant with the desired trait and all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of cotton variety FM 1773LLB2 when grown in the same environmental conditions. In another embodiment, the invention provides for a method of producing an essentially derived cotton plant from FM 1773LLB2 comprising genetically transforming a desired trait in regenerable cell or tissue culture from a plant produced by the invention, resulting in an essentially derived cotton plant that retains the expression of the phenotypic characteristics of cotton variety FM 1773LLB2, except for the characteristics changed by the introduction of the desired trait.

Desired traits described herein include modified cotton fiber characteristics, herbicide resistance, insect or pest resistance, disease resistance, including bacterial or fungal disease resistance, male sterility, modified carbohydrate metabolism and modified fatty acid metabolism. Such traits and genes conferring such traits are known in the art. See, e.g., US 20090049564, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The invention also provides for methods wherein the desired trait is herbicide tolerance and the tolerance is linked to a herbicide such as glyphosate, glufosinate, sulfonylurea, dicamba, phenoxy proprionic acid, cyclohexanedione, triazine, benzonitrile, bromoxynil or imidazalinone.

In one embodiment, the desired trait is insect resistance conferred by a transgene encoding a Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) endotoxin, a derivative thereof, or a synthetic polypeptide modeled thereon.

Also included herein is a method of producing cotton seed, comprising the steps of using the plant grown from seed of cotton variety FM 1773LLB2, of which a representative seed sample will be deposited under Accession No. xxxxxx, as a recurrent parent in crosses with other cotton plants different from FM 1773LLB2, and harvesting the resultant cotton seed.

Another embodiment of this invention relates to seeds, plants, plant cells and parts of plants of cotton varieties that are essentially derived from FM 1773LLB2, being essentially the same as this invention by expressing the unique combination of characteristics of FM 1773LLB2, including the herbicide and insect resistance of FM 1773LLB2, except for the characteristics (e.g., one, two, three, four, or five, characteristics) being different from the characteristics of FM 1773LLB2 as a result of the act of derivation.

Another embodiment of this invention is the reproduction of plants of FM 1773LLB2 by the method of tissue culture from any regenerable plant tissue obtained from plants of this invention. Plants reproduced by this method express the specific combination of characteristics of this invention and fall within its scope. During one of the steps of the reproduction process via tissue culture, somaclonal variant plants may occur. These plants can be selected as being distinct from this invention, but still fall within the scope of this invention as being essentially derived from this invention.

Another embodiment of the invention provides for a method of producing an inbred cotton plant derived from the cotton variety FM 1773LLB2 comprising: (a) preparing a progeny plant derived from cotton variety FM 1773LLB2, a representative sample of seed of said variety having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-XXXXXX, by crossing cotton variety FM 1773LLB2 with a cotton plant of a second variety; (b) crossing the progeny plant with itself or a second plant to produce a seed of a progeny plant of a subsequent generation; (c) growing a progeny plant of a subsequent generation from said seed and crossing the progeny plant of a subsequent generation with itself or a second plant; and (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) for an additional 3-10 generations with sufficient inbreeding to produce an inbred cotton plant derived from the cotton variety FM 1773LLB2.

Another embodiment of this invention is the production of a hybrid variety, comprising repeatedly crossing plants of FM 1773LLB2 with plants of a different variety or varieties or with plants of a non-released line or lines. In practice, three different types of hybrid varieties may be produced (see e.g., Chapter 18, “Hybrid Varieties” in Briggs and Knowles, supra):

The “single cross hybrid” produced by two different lines, the “three way hybrid”, produced by three different lines such that first the single hybrid is produced by using two out of the three lines followed by crossing this single hybrid with the third line, and the “four way hybrid” produced by four different lines such that first two single hybrids are produced using the lines two by two, followed by crossing the two single hybrids so produced.

Each single, three way or four way hybrid variety so produced and using FM 1773LLB2 as one of the parent lines contains an essential contribution of FM 1773LLB2 to the resulting hybrid variety and falls within the scope of this invention.

The invention also provides for cotton lint or fiber produced by the plants of the invention, plants reproduced from the invention, and plants essentially derived from the invention. The final textile produced from the unique fiber of FM 1773LLB2 also falls within the scope of this invention and can be distinguished from fibers of other cotton plants by the methods disclosed in WO2010/015423. The invention also provides for a method of producing a commodity plant product (e.g., lint, cotton seed oil) comprising obtaining a plant of the invention or a part thereof, and producing said commodity plant product therefrom.

The entire disclosure of each document cited herein (e.g., US patent publications, non-patent literature, etc.) is hereby incorporated by reference.

Example 1

Seed were obtained from plants finally selected in the process of breeding the new variety “FM 1773LLB2”. Seeds of variety FM 1773LLB2, of which a representable sample will be deposited, were planted, together with FM 1845LLB2, as reference variety in field trials at 2 locations, as mentioned hereunder. The results as shown in Table 1 were obtained from a pooled analysis of the data from these two trials.

FM 1773LLB2 can be distinguished from its comparator variety FM 1845LLB2 qualitatively by the following: FM 1773LLB2 has a larger, loser boll; more vigorous growth habit; later in maturity variety; and with less hair, than FM 1845LLB2.

Data were collected for one year. General description of morphological characteristics including leaf, stem, gland, flower, plant height and nodes to first fruiting branch were collected from 35 plants in each of three replications.

Location One:

BCSI Research Station, Lubbock, Tex. 2010 Conditions: Planting date May 15. The trial was conducted under drip irrigation with conventional management. Trial was designed to measure distinguishing characters: 16 entry trial, random complete block design with 3 replications and two 10 m row plots. For distinguishing characters: measurements were taken from 35 plants, from three of the 10 m plots.

Location Two:

Jones Farm, Acuff, Tex. 2010 Conditions: Planting date May 15. The trial was conducted under drip irrigation with conventional management. Trial was designed to measure distinguishing characters: 16 entry trial, random complete block design with 3 replications and two 10m row plots. For distinguishing characters: measurements were taken from 35 plants, from each of the replications so a total of 105 plants.

The description as mentioned in Table 1 reflects the average expression of the characteristics of FM 1773LLB2 on these locations in 2010. This expression can be different on other locations and/or in other years.

Example 2

A variety that has been essentially derived from FM 1773LLB2 by the process of the transgression of the event GHB614, USDA-APHIS petition 06-332-01p, U.S. Pat. No. 7,932,439, into plants of the variety FM 1773LLB2 via the method of recurrent backcrossing and selecting the plants which express the characteristics of FM 1773LLB2 combined with the resistance to the herbicide glyphosate.

Example 3

A variety that has been essentially derived from FM 1773LLB2 by the process of the transgression of the Event GHB614 via genetic engineering in regenerable cells or tissue of FM 1773LLB2 and the subsequent selection of regenerated plants, which express the characteristics of FM 1773LLB2 combined with the resistance to the herbicide glyphosate.

Example 4

A variety that has been essentially derived from FM 1773LLB2 by the selection of an induced or naturally occurring mutant plant or off-type plant from plants of FM 1773LLB2, which plant retains the expression of the phenotypic characteristics of FM 1773LLB2 and differs only from FM 1773LLB2 in the expression of one, or two, or three, or four, or five of the characteristics as listed in table 1 and when grown side by side with FM 1773LLB2 on one or two locations in one or two growing seasons.

TABLE 1 Characteristics of FM 1773LLB2 Variety description of characteristic possible expression/note FM 1773LLB2 FM 1845LLB2 General Plant Type Plant Habit spreading, intermediate, compact Intermediate Intermediate Foliage sparse, intermediate, dense Intermediate Intermediate Stem Lodging lodging, intermediate, erect Erect Erect Fruiting Branch clustered, short, normal Normal Normal Growth determinate, intermediate, indeterminate Intermediate Intermediate Leaf color greenish yellow, light green, Medium Green Medium Green medium green, dark green Boll Shape Length < Width, L = W, L > W Length > Width Length > Width Boll Breadth broadest at base, broadest at middle Broadest at Midldle Broadest at Middle Maturity Days till maturity Mid-Maturity Mid-Maturity Plant cm. to first Fruiting Branch from cotyledonary node 24.5 22.5 No. of nodes to 1st Fruiting Branch excluding cotyledonary node 6.6 6.5 Mature Plant Height in cm from cotyledonary node to terminal 93.1 87.0 Leaf: upper most, fully expanded leaf Type normal, sub-okra, okra, super-okra Normal Normal Pubescense absent, sparse, medium, dense Medium Medium Nectaries present, absent Present Present Stem Pubescense glabrous, intermediate, hairy Intermediate Intermediate Glands (Gossypol) absent, sparse, normal, more than normal Leaf Normal Normal Stem Normal Normal Calyx lobe (normal is absent) Absent/Normal Absent/Normal Flower Petals cream, yellow Cream Cream Pollen cream, yellow Cream Cream Petal Spot present, absent Absent Absent Seed Seed Index g/100 seed fuzzy basis 12.8 12.1 Lint Index g lint/100 seeds 7.1 6.7 Boll Lint percent, picked 38 38 Gin Turnout, stripped Number of Seeds per Boll 31.4 32.6 Grams Seed Cotton per Boll 2.23 2.18 Number of Locules per Boll 4.1 4.2 Boll Type storm proof, storm resistant, open Open Open Fiber Properties Method HVI Length, inches, 2.5% SL 1.20 1.21 Uniformity (%) 82.6 83.7 Strength, T1 (g/tex) 32.0 32.3 Elongation, E1 (%) 8.5 9.0 Micronaire 4.52 4.50 Diseases, Insects and Pests susceptible = S, moderately susceptible = MS moderately resistant = MR, resistant = R Bollworm R Pink Bollworm R Tobacco Budworm R

Deposit Information

Applicant will make a deposit of at least 2500 seeds of cotton variety FM 1773LLB2 disclosed herein with the _ under _ Accession No. _. Seed of the cotton variety FM 1773LLB2 is located at the Lubbock Breeding station, 6508 East FM 40, Lubbock, Tex. 79403. The lot number for this seed material is R09AA6187F. The seeds will be deposited with the _ on _. Access to this deposit will be available during the pendency of the application to the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks and persons determined by the Commissioner to be entitled thereto upon request. The deposit will be maintained for a period of 30 years, or 5 years after the most recent request, or for the enforceable life of the patent, whichever is longer, and will be replaced if it becomes nonviable during that period. Applicant does not waive any rights granted under this patent or under the Plant Variety Protection Act (7 U.S.C. 2321 et seq.).

CITED REFERENCES

-   Lawrence P. Burdett, “Cotton Variety 02T15,” U.S. Pub. No.     20090049564. -   F. N. Briggs, and P. F Knowles, 1967: “Introduction to Plant     Breeding”, Rheinhold Publishing Corporation. -   H. F. Sakhanoko et al 2004: “Induction of Somatic embryogenesis and     Plant Regeneration in Select Georgia and Pee Dee Cotton Lines”, Crop     Science 44: 2199-2205. -   Umbeck et al 1988: “Genetic engineering of cotton plants and lines”,     Patent application number EP0290355. -   Reynaerts et al 2000: “Improved method for Agrobacterium mediated     transformation of cotton”, Patent application number WO 0071733. -   P. Stam, 2003: “Marker-assisted introgression: speed at any cost?”     Proceedings of the Eucarpia Meeting on Leafy Vegetable Genetics and     Breeding, Noordwijkerhout, The Netherlands, 19-21 Mar. 2003. Eds.     Th. J. L. van Hintum, A. Lebeda, D. Pink, J. W. Schut. P117-124. -   Trolinder et al. “Herbicide tolerant cotton plants having event     EE-GH1.” U.S. Pat. No. 6,818,807 (2004). 

1. A seed of cotton variety FM 1773LLB2, wherein a representative seed of said variety was deposited under _ Accession No. _.
 2. A plant, or a part thereof, produced by growing the seed of claim
 1. 3. A plant, or a part thereof, obtained by vegetative reproduction from the plant, or a part thereof, of claim 2, said plant, or a part thereof, expressing all the phenotypic characteristics of cotton variety FM 1773LLB2, a sample of seed having been deposited under _ Accession No. _.
 4. A process of vegetative reproduction of cotton variety FM 1773LLB2 comprising, culturing regenerable cells or tissue from FM 1773LLB2, a sample of seed having been deposited under _ Accession No. _.
 5. A cell or tissue culture produced from the plant, or a part thereof, of claim
 2. 6. A cotton plant regenerated from the cell or tissue culture of claim 5, said plant expressing all the phenotypic characteristics of FM 1773LLB2, a sample of seed having been deposited under _ Accession No. _.
 7. A method of producing an F1 hybrid cotton seed, comprising the steps of crossing the plant of claim 2 with a different cotton plant and harvesting the resultant F1 hybrid cotton seed.
 8. An F1 hybrid cotton seed produced by the method of claim
 7. 9. An F1 hybrid cotton plant, or part thereof, produced by growing the hybrid seed of claim
 8. 10. A plant obtained by the vegetative reproduction of the cotton plant of claim
 9. 11. A method of producing a cotton seed comprising the steps of crossing the plant of claim 10 with a different cotton plant and harvesting the resultant cotton seed.
 12. A method of introducing a desired trait into a cotton plant, the method comprising, transforming the plant of claim 2 with a transgene that confers the desired trait, wherein the transformed plant retains all the phenotypic characteristics of cotton variety FM 1773LLB2 and contains the desired trait.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein said desired trait is fiber quality, herbicide resistance, insect resistance, bacterial disease resistance or fungal disease resistance.
 14. A method of introducing a desired trait into a cotton plant, the method comprising transforming the plant of claim 9 with a transgene that confers the desired trait.
 15. A cotton plant produced by the method of claim
 12. 16. A method of introducing a single locus conversion into cotton variety FM 1773LLB2 comprising: (a) crossing a plant of variety FM 1773LLB2 with a second plant comprising a desired single locus to produce F1 progeny plants; (b) selecting F1 progeny plants that have the single locus to produce selected F1 progeny plants; (c) crossing the selected progeny plants with at least a first plant of variety FM 1773LLB2 to produce backcross progeny plants; (d) selecting backcross progeny plants that have the single locus and all physiological and morphological characteristics of cotton variety FM 1773LLB2 to produce selected backcross progeny plants; and (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) one or more times in succession to produce selected second or higher backcross progeny plants that comprise the single locus and otherwise comprise all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of cotton variety FM 1773LLB2 when grown in the same environmental conditions.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the single locus confers a trait selected from the group consisting of male sterility; herbicide tolerance; insect or pest resistance; disease resistance; modified fatty acid metabolism; modified carbohydrate metabolism; and modified cotton fiber characteristics.
 18. Cotton lint or fiber obtained from the plant of claim
 2. 19. Cotton lint or fiber obtained from the plant of claim
 9. 20. Cotton lint or fiber obtained from the plant of claim
 15. 